Homeowners with damage from July 14 storm can seek disaster assistance: councilBack to video

Residents whose homes were damaged by a rainstorm on July 14 can now apply for disaster assistance.

Council approved requesting the provincial government designate the city as an area eligible for disaster assistance for damage caused by flooding from the July 14 storm.

The city’s website has a link for residents to apply to the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program, or application forms can be picked up at city hall.

Coun. Cynthia Block said she has heard from many residents in her ward about flood damage from the storm, including one person who is replacing basement flooring for the fourth time due to water damage.

The criteria to apply for help requires either one claim for at least $5,000 or multiple claims totalling at least $25,000.

The city was hit by 10 to 32 millimetres of rain on July 14.

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WHERE’S THE FIRE?

Another Saskatoon fire station is moving.

Council approved building a new fire station on University of Saskatchewan land to replace the 53-year-old station located on Central Avenue in the Sutherland neighbourhood.

Mayor Charlie Clark said it took a “lot of negotiation and problem-solving to find the right location” on U of S land. The new station is scheduled to be built at the corner of Preston Avenue and 108th Street.

When the fire department first announced it would shutter the Sutherland location and build a new one along Preston two years ago, talks focused on the College Quarter between 14th Avenue and College Drive.

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A year ago, the fire department opened a new station on Clarence Avenue in the Adelaide/Churchill neighbourhood to replace the station on Taylor Street. Both of these moves were made to eliminate the need for a new station in Stonebridge.

The deal between the city and the university calls for a lease of slightly less than an acre of land for $1 a year for 25 years. The city will retain the exclusive right to renew the lease for another 25 years.

Construction of the new station is expected to start next year and be completed in 2021, a year later than the original time frame from two years ago. The 2017 cost estimate for the new station was $8.79 million.

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Coun. Sarina Gersher asked how the new station will adhere to the city’s high-performance energy guidelines. Gersher noted the city does not construct many new buildings.

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl said the department is looking at solar power and rooftop gardens for the new station.

INTEGRITY CHIEF HIRED

A former Regina city councillor will decide whether Saskatoon city politicians are adhering to their new code of conduct.

Council approved the hiring of Randy Langgard as the City of Saskatoon’s first integrity commissioner. Langgard, a lawyer and former Regina city councillor from 1985 to 1994, was named the City of Regina’s first integrity commissioner last year.

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Langgard, who is also a motorcycle enthusiast, according to a biography in a city report, was interviewed by city clerk Joanne Sproule and interim city solicitor Cindy Yelland in June, the report says.

Langgard agreed to work for the City of Saskatoon at the same rate at which he is paid by the City of Regina. His contract with Saskatoon city hall will include annual retainer payments of $2,000 for the rest of this year, $5,000 for 2020 and $2,500 for 2021.

Langgard will also be paid $375 per hour for work performed, such as investigating complaints about the conduct of Saskatoon city council members.

Council approved a new 36-page code of conduct in March. The code sets out values and standards that councillors and the mayor are expected to uphold.

For example, knowingly providing false information would violate the code.

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